NILES, Ohio - A lamb taken from a Nativity scene has been returned to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Niles, and the three people accused of taking the statue have been sentenced.

Police were called out at around 3:30 a.m. Friday to investigate a report that two men and a woman were smashing items in yards along Vienna Avenue.

In addition, the light was reported as stolen from private property.

Officers soon found three suspects, as well as the missing lamb.

Police went to the church and returned the lamb to the spot from which it had been taken.

The three suspects were booked into the county jail and appeared for arraignment in court the following day.

Two Niles men, Tanner Caldwell, 21, and Nathan Crouse, 20, and 21-year-old Madeline Dillon of New Philadelphia, were found guilty of disorderly conduct and trespassing.

Niles Municipal Court Judge Christopher Shaker handed down suspended fines and jail sentences for the trio.

Caldwell and Crouse must report to a probation officer for six months.

All three are prohibited from having contact with the church.